Barrymore pool death mystery
British police were today continuing to probe the death of man who was found unconscious in the swimming pool of British television star Michael Barrymore.
The man, believed to be in his early 20s, was wearing only his boxer shorts when he was found just before 6am on Saturday at the star’s home in Roydon, Essex.
As police investigated the tragedy Barrymore was said to have gone away ‘‘with friends’’ from his large detached house on an exclusive development at the end of a quiet road.
Police have spoken to him about the death.
The comedian’s agent Ann Chudleigh said: ‘‘Michael is deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy. At the moment his concern and thoughts are for the young man’s family.’’
A cab driver said how he took Barrymore and three other people back to the entertainer’s home from a nightclub just hours before the young man was found unconscious in the pool.
A post mortem examination was carried out last night, but the result was not being immediately released.
The man is known to have visited the Millennium club in Harlow earlier.
British police believe he either drowned or died from hypothermia.
Keith Herrett, 40, office manager with cab firm Ace Apollo, said: ‘‘I picked them up outside the nightclub at about 2.30am after Michael Barrymore called in and asked for a cab.’’
There were Barrymore and three other people, including at least one woman and one man. Police had asked him not to be specific about the sex of the other people.
‘‘He (Barrymore) used to use the firm regularly, and we just happened to be clear when he called.
‘‘Over the past 10 years, I used to run him regularly from his house in Roydon to the BBC in London.
‘‘I don’t know who the other people were - although one of them looked familiar. Those three were talking to each other.
‘‘He (Barrymore) was very quiet. As quiet as a mouse. He was obviously very tired. He sat in the back of the cab with two of the other people.
‘‘I said, ‘awight?’ (Barrymore’s catchphrase) and I just got a very quiet ‘awight’ back.
‘‘The other three were very smartly dressed, in suits, as you would expect for people coming into a nightclub.
‘‘But you would not have recognised him. He was very scruffy.
‘‘I took them home, it’s only about a seven minute drive, and then I came back.
‘‘The office called me this morning to say that the police wanted to speak to me, and then I heard later that someone had been found in his pool.
‘‘I don’t think he is a regular at the nightclub. He is a regular in Harlow.
‘‘Basically, he goes where he wants to go. I have been in the post office in Roydon and seen him go behind the counter and start serving. He’s just that kind of bloke.
‘‘I’ve taken him on fares lots of times but I wouldn’t say I knew him that well. I have met him socially once. I think he’s hilarious on the television, but in the cab he’s usually fairly quiet.’’
Police said they were keeping an open mind about whether the death was suspicious.
They said that inquiries would continue to establish the identity of the deceased man.
Police said earlier it was not known if the man had been drinking, but he decided to go for a swim in the outdoor pool in the back garden.
He was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, but died at 8.32am despite efforts to revive him.
The man was wearing just a pair of light grey boxer shorts.
He was described as white, 5ft 11ins tall and aged about 25, with brown hair, blue-grey eyes and slightly overlapping front teeth.
